Hit-and-run suspect turns himself in after crash kills 1

June 18, 2003

WEST SIDE — The 17-year-old driver of a car that ran a red light and collided with two other cars, killing a 15-year-old boy and injuring seven others, was in Chicago police custody Tuesday after allegedly climbing out of the wreckage and fleeing.

The driver, whose name was not released because charges had not been filed, turned himself in late Monday after the accident, said police spokesman Thomas Donegan.

The collision occurred at Cicero Avenue and Harrison Street after a rented vehicle, driven by the 17-year-old, swerved from the northbound lane into the southbound lane of Cicero Avenue to pass cars stopped at the red light. The driver then moved back into the northbound lanes, striking two vehicles, Donegan said. Cordell Walker of the 700 block of South Independence Boulevard died in the crash. The driver, who turned himself in late Monday, had a minor injury and was treated and released from Mt. Sinai hospital, police said.